What are the Best Tea Kettles of 2017?

The typical advice when buying a kettle is to get the very best you can afford. But if you aren’t exactly thrilled about purchasing a 400-year-old bone china kettle, what can you do?

Happily, the best tea kettles don’t need to be 18th-century recreations.

We’ve combed through dozens of tea kettles to find the top six that will bring your tea-drinking to its zenith.

Read on for our take.

What Makes the Best Tea Kettles?

In a word: workmanship.

The material is important, and most of the offerings here are stainless steel.

Safety is another factor. No one wants to burn their hands getting the tea, so we’ve sought out models that include some kind of heat resistance in their handles.

A good kettle should also be clean and easy to keep that way, so we’ve made sure not to include any overly fussy models.

We’ve also looked at the price, and the models here range from the $30 mark on up to the $100 range, so a good cup of tea doesn’t depend on your pocketbook.

OXO Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle

The OXO is one of the best tea kettles all around. It’s reasonably priced, well-made, and does the job right. No bells or whistles here, except the one that tells you the tea is ready.

OXO designed this kettle with rust-proof stainless steel and silicone padding on the handle to prevent burns. The silicone spout opener is easily accessible by the thumb and the spout itself designed specifically to prevent drips while you pour.

For a classic, sleek design that brews a great cup of tea, this is the ticket.

Circulon Teakettles Sunrise Whistling Tea Kettle

With its round silhouette and cheerful colors, it’s a wonder that the Circulon doesn’t actually sing “I’m a little teapot” when it finishes brewing your tea.

Short and stout it certainly is, but this whistling kettle is no slouch on capacity. The kettle holds two quarts of water, enough to make tea for you and everyone else in the house. Or just you. We won’t judge.

The stainless steel construction is impervious to rust and the enamel exterior makes this kettle a breeze to clean. You’re also sure to be instantly cheerier when you’re greeted with the bright green, orange, or blue of this kettle early in the morning.

Bella Electric Tea Kettle

Looking for a kettle that can also function as decor? The Bella electric might be for you.

The folks at Bella have thought of everything on this model. The heating element (no stove required) is 1200 watts, and will heat your water in the blink of an eye. The kettle is ceramic, so no strange plastic or metallic tastes will contaminate your tea. This model is cordless as well, so you can take the tea from counter to table with ease.

This is one of the best tea kettles for those with limited space or who can’t lose a stove burner to a kettle all the time. The entire kettle and heating element is self-contained, making it a highly convenient choice for apartment dwellers.

Willow & Everett Whistling Tea Kettle

Ever look at your current kettle and say “If only this was made from surgical-grade steel”? Well, look no further. Willow and Everett has you covered.

The stainless steel exterior is a classic look for any kitchen, and the stainless steel infuser makes for one of the best tea kettles for those who prefer their tea loose, rather than in bags. They’ve also included five layers of steel rather than a standard two or three to help your water heat faster and more evenly.

Watching your toxin intake? This kettle is BPA and Teflon-free, so you know it’s safe even for your tiny tea-drinkers. And, like many of the stainless steel offerings on our list, this one is made with a silicone handle to prevent burns.

Le Creuset Tea Kettle

We’ve all seen their stunning cookware, but did you know that Le Creuset also makes tea kettles? Available in their signature range of muted tones, you’re sure to find one that compliments your kitchen. The stylish kettles are coated with a corrosion-proof enamel, complete with a beautiful color coating.

This model comes with the burn free handle and locking drip-less pour spout, but a unique feature here is the ability to use it on an induction cooktop.

This is one of the pricier models, but with anything from Le Creuset, the price tag is definitely worth it.

MacKenzie-Childs Tea Kettle

Yes, we had to put something on this list that makes you feel like you are having the Duchess of Canterbury for tea. And while the best tea kettles don’t need to be fancy botanical wonders, sometimes it just adds to the authenticity of teatime.

Mackenzie Childs prides itself on the truly impeccable workmanship on each of its pieces. The kettle itself is made from high-quality stainless steel, with a hand-finished botanical print and finishing glaze.

The glass knob, brass accents, and wooden handles may fool you into thinking you’ve stepped into an Austen novel.

Wrapping Up

When you make the plunge into buying an actual kettle rather than just dunking your Lipton bag in a mug of hot water, you’ll immediately notice a difference in flavor, body, and overall tea drinking experience.

There’s just something about drinking from a kettle that a microwaved mug can’t match.

So before you take the plunge into a new tea kettle, check our list. You’re sure to find the kettle of your dreams.